Signaling device



Feb. 13, 1923. 1,445,210.

F. A. GOODHUE.

SIGNALING DEVICE FILED FEB/2.1920.

WlT/VESSES HVVE/VTOR A TTOP/VE rs Patented Feb. 13, 1923.

UNHTE s FRANK ARTHER GOODHUE, OF WINCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS SIGNALING DEVICE.

Application filed February 2, 1920. Serial No. 355,558.v

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK A. Goonnun, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of l/Vinchester, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signaling Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This inventionrelates to automobile signals and has for its object the provision of novel means whereby the signal hand may be promptly returned to its inoperative position within a casing upon being released, and further the invention has for an. object the provision of novel means whereby the spring which returns the signal hand to its inoperative position is atall times enclosed and thereby protected fromithe-elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electric light in connection with the signal which is controlled by the move-- ment of the signaling mechanism into operative and inoperative position.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side view illustrating the improved signal applied to the fender of amotor vehicle, the view also illustrating the operating means for the signal,

Fi ure 2 is a side elevation of the signal detacihed,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the signal, the view illustrating the arm in an elevated position.

The present embodiment of the invention is shown in connection with a motor vehicle 1 of usual construction and the signaling mechanism is arranged on the rear fender, at the left in the present instance. This mechanism comprises a casing 2, substantially rectangular in cross section and relatively thin in one dimension and having one side open, as shown.

Within the casing there is mounted a semaphore arm 3 which, in the present instance, is shaped to simulate a pointing hand, and the said arm is pivoted in the casing as indicated at 4:, near the top thereof, so that it may swing into or out of the casing to be completely hidden or to be partially exposed.

A sprlng 5 is connected with the semaphore arm and with the casing, and acts normally to swing the arm into the casing, the said spring being a resilient wire which is wrapped about the signal arm and the pivotal connection, as shown, and has oneend hooked over the arm tonormally draw the free end of the arm downward.

The other end of the spring is engaged with a stop 6 on the casing wall. The casing has an opening in itsbottom and into this opening there isth'readed' a sleeve or nipple 7 through which the controlling mechanism for the signal arm passes. The

said mechanism is a flexible member 8, as,

for instance, a cord, wire orthe like, which is connected at one end to an opening 9 in the signal arm, on the opposite side of the pivotal connection from. the representation of the fingers. This flexible member passes downwardly through the nipple and, through a tubular flexiblecasing or pipe 5} which is connected with the nipple at one end, and

rear fender 11 as shown more particularly in Figure 1, and the pipe 9 is threaded on to the nipple below the fender, the casing 2 being above the fender. This pipe 9 passes downwardly and inwardly beneath the ad-' jacent side member of the frame of the vehicle and then upwardly to the level of the frame to the eye 10.

A coil spring 12 is connected with the forward end of the flexible member 8, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and two flexible members 13 and 14: are connected. with the forward end of the spring. One of these flexible members, 13 in the present instance,

is connected with the clutch pedal, indicated at 15, while the other, namely, the flexible member 14:, is connected with the brake pedal 16. The connection is by means of a collar 17 which encircles the pedal lever and has an eye for connection with the flexible member. It will be evident that when interfered with, because the'spring 12 will yield, permitting said forward movement without interference from the pedal arm As illustrated in Figure 4, the colled the pivot pin 4 has one terminal arm anchored to the casing as indicated at 6 and the other terminal armor portion is engaged with the signal hand 3 in advance of which" is supported by an eye 10 on the spring 5 having convolutions surrounding til the pivot pin l. By reason of this construction the hand 3 is returned to its inoperative position immediately upon being rcleased.

The upward swinging movernent of the signal arm is limited by its engagement with the top of the casing 2, and when the mechanism to operate the signal. He cannot operate either clutch or brake Without operating the signal. In day light those behind or in front can see the signal 8, that is, the pointing hand. In order that the signal may be visible at night, an electric light 18 is mounted. on the signal arm, just below the respresentation of the index finger. This bulb is held by a socket and lead wires 20 and 21 are connected with the socket. One of these wires, namely, the lead wire 20, is connected to a contact button 19 on the si nal arm, as shown in Figure 3, and this button is adapted to contact with. the metallic case when the arm is in operative position, to close the circuit by grounding said circuit on the metallic case, the tender and the frame of the vehicle. The other lead wire 21 is connected to a source of electric current. v

I claim:

A signal comprising a vertically arranged casing having one vertical side open, a signal hand arranged in said casingand movable through the open side of the same to a horizontal position, a pivot pin extending transversely through said casing and supporting the signal hand for swinging movement, a spring having convolutions" surrounding said pivot pin and having a terminal arm extended downwardly and anchored to the lower portion of the casing, said spring having a second terminal arm overhanging and engaging the upper edge of the signal for promptly returning the signal hand to a vertical position uponv being released, the rear portion of said signal hand being provided with an apertured ear, and an operating device connected to said ear, said spring being entirely within the casing and rotected thereby at all times.

FRENK ARTHER GOODHUE. 

